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+--- Thread: Overture Downs so stay with me because, (/showthread.php?tid=63737)
so stay with me because, - Morwenna - November 27, 2024
the creek had been cold, biting at her limbs with the sharpness only swiftcurrent waters could bring. morwenna had emerged with her fur clinging to her thin frame, droplets catching in the early light like glass beads. she had taken her time to dry off, draping herself in the caribou skin, its sturdy warmth a welcome shield against the chill that still clung to the air.
the skin, dried and tough, held the scent of the hunt and the memory of sun eater’s guiding presence. it grounded her, a reminder of the strength she sought to embody.
her steps now were quiet but deliberate as she moved beyond the creek’s familiar reach. the forest opened before her, trees parting like the pages of an old tale. today’s task was simple but essential: herbs. the sort that could bolster their stores, heal wounds, or calm the restless. her pale eyes scanned the earth as she walked, searching for hints of green amidst the frost-dappled ground.
the morning felt heavy with potential, the kind that made her pause and lift her head to the sky, exhaling a breath that mingled with the fading mist. this was the kind of quiet she liked—purposeful and unbroken.
RE: so stay with me because, - Wake - December 01, 2024
Except, the quiet would not stay.
A shriek of birds sounded from the edge of the woods, and a flock of them flapped out furiously across the downs, peeling towards the open sky in heartstopping panic. From this same patch of trees, a snowshoe hare fled pell-mell, a pale stag of a wolf slavering hot on its heels.
Winter’s Wake bore down on the creature, which had managed to elude him thus far with its erratic leaps but had begun to tire. The hunter was graceful in his furious pursuit, matching the hare’s zigzagging trajectory with almost unnatural precision…
An old embankment gave the prey the edge it needed to gain an insurmountable lead.
Wake recovered easily enough from the sudden dip in the land, but the hare had moved strides ahead, and the chances of success had plummeted well beneath the threshold of “worth it.” The snowrunner let up and stood panting, ears tall and proud even as his meal scampered away.
RE: so stay with me because, - Morwenna - December 01, 2024
morwenna stilled, the caribou hide around her shoulders shifting with the soft breeze. her sharp nose caught the scent of the male long before she saw him—rich, earthy, and tinged with the faint musk of exertion. her pale eyes narrowed slightly, and her ears flicked toward the distant sound of rustling underbrush and the scattered cries of disturbed birds.
she adjusted the fur with a quiet huff, her muscles taut beneath the weight of the pelt as she turned toward the source. her scouting had brought her to this patch of quiet land, yet now it seemed she was not as alone as she had thought.
softly, she began to follow, her steps careful and deliberate, leaving little trace in her wake. ahead, the trail thickened, marked by the lingering heat of a chase. as she crested a rise, she caught sight of him—pale, statuesque, his breath coming in sharp puffs as he stood over the trail of his quarry.
for a moment, she watched, the distance between them enough to keep her unnoticed. the sight of him stirred something unspoken in her chest, though she remained as stoic as the valley around them. with a soft exhale, she adjusted the fur once more, waiting to see if the stag would notice her.
RE: so stay with me because, - Wake - December 01, 2024
A huff and a shake of his snowmelt coat eased some of the lingering adrenaline, but there still remained a buzzing of energy in his limbs. Wake was not yet spent. He would continue the hunt, as always, undaunted by the trilling of dissatisfaction coursing through his veins. Spurred ceaselessly by the lack of fresh blood on his tongue.
He turned to find a new patch of wood, far enough to be undisturbed by the commotion he had caused, and instead found a wolf on the rise. Or, at least, it looked like a wolf with some degree of variation. They had the dark, elegant muzzle of his kind, but their figure was cast into an odd silhouette by the extra skin drawn over their shoulders, and this was the extent of his observations at this distance.
It was an odd thing for him to see, but not so unnatural as to disturb him entirely. It was only the pelt of a reindeer, after all.
Do you run with Saatsine?he called over his panting breaths, tail lifting into a flag of invitation.
RE: so stay with me because, - Morwenna - December 01, 2024
morwenna's gaze swept over the stranger, her eyes lingering on the stag-like figure he cut against the landscape. the question carried over the space between them, and she shook her head slowly, allowing the silence to settle before answering.
no,she said simply, her voice even, though touched with the faintest curiosity.
but i know their chieftain.
her chin lifted slightly, the caribou hide shifting on her shoulders with the movement.
do you?she asked, taking a step forward, her eyes narrowing just a touch as they searched his face.
RE: so stay with me because, - Wake - December 01, 2024
A keen look saw one side of Wake’s muzzle curving into a smile. He shook his head in reply.
But the Sun Eater does seem prolific in his own right.
A bit of envy feathered at the emotional center of his brain. He certainly wanted to be as known as the Saatsine patriarch, if not known better. Even this unaffiliated wolf, feminine by the sound of her voice, seemed to carry a totem of the caribou-chasers.
I thought you one of them because of the…He motioned towards her “overcoat.”
Is it terribly cold for you out here?That would be a shame, considering winter had yet to make its yearly debut in earnest.
RE: so stay with me because, - Morwenna - December 01, 2024
tag for mention
morwenna hummed, her gaze tracing him in quiet study, her mind lingering on the confirmations he spoke of sun eater. her assessment, though veiled in her soft demeanor, felt thorough. when he gestured toward her shoulders, she instinctively nosed the edge of the pelt, the faint scent of @Sun Eater eater still clinging to its fibers. she was more than warmth. it was a gift,she said simply, her voice low, nearly wistful. her words carried no elaboration, but the warmth in her tone spoke volumes.
she shifted slightly, the weight of the caribou hide a comfort against the chill.
it keeps me well enough,she added after a pause, glancing briefly at the horizon before her gaze flickered back to him, watchful.
and you? you seem far from idle. do you always wander alone?
RE: so stay with me because, - Wake - December 01, 2024
From a paramour?Wake was just shameless enough to ask.
The implication behind her nostalgic tone would be enough for most, but the winterwolf preferred to work with definites rather than assumptions. Besides, if Sun Eater or someone else of Saatsine saw fit to gift another wolf outside of the clan with a hard won pelt, then it was of great intrigue to him.
Any wolf valued by another automatically piqued his interest.
I do for now,he answered, breaths finally slowing to a more normal rate as the exertion wore off and a new task evolved before him. He studied her openly, attempting to discern more besides a regal posture.
But it will not always be so. My journey to find those who will become my kith has only just begun, and I intend to build a homestead for those I find.
His tail gave a victorious wag, as if it were already done.
Have you taken residence here also?If he were closer, he might have gleaned the scent of the creek from her; the same scent shared by the anomalous Lestan.
RE: so stay with me because, - Morwenna - December 01, 2024
morwenna felt heat rise to her cheeks at his bold question, though she did her best to steady her breath and keep her composure. her gaze drifted downward, tracing the edges of the caribou pelt draped over her shoulders.
i... don't know,she replied softly, the words barely above a whisper. the truth tangled within her chest, uncertain if it was hers to share.
lifting her gaze again, she managed a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
i do not live with the saatsine,she continued, a small sigh escaping her lips.
my home is with the swiftcurrent creek wolves.
there was a hesitation in her voice, as if admitting this made her feel exposed, vulnerable. but she did not look away, her pale eyes steady on him despite the lingering warmth on her face.
what of your own homestead?
RE: so stay with me because, - Wake - December 01, 2024
Uncertainty! The snowrunner’s greedy mind was delighted to hear it. And though she kept herself collected, a simple glance downward projected the tiniest slip of her aristocratic impassivity.
He made no further comment, certain that her own mind would seed more discourse than the words of a stranger ever could, though he still wondered at how close she and her gift-giver were. If there were talks of the past. Of a future. Declarations. Affection.
If there was a corner of her mind yet untouched for him to occupy.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. This selfishness is unbecoming, his mother had lectured him.
And yet, it remained.
His ears flicked at the disinclined admission about her home.
Ah, yes. I have heard good things about your pack,Wake stated without disclosing Lestan’s involvement in the matter.
I mean to parlay with your leaders. See how amenable they will be to my presence in the area.Where the star-crowned woman might feel exposed, the snowmelt competitor only felt pride in all he revealed.
I have taken a great liking to the lands of this valley. I hope to find myself a stake of four adjoining territories to spend each of the seasons in. Forests for the winters and springs, a mountain for the summers, a field for the falls.
RE: so stay with me because, - Morwenna - December 01, 2024
morwenna tilted her head slightly as she listened, pale eyes fixed intently on the stag-like figure. his words carried an air of purpose, and she felt her thoughts stirring, already piecing together how such a meeting might unfold.
if you wish to speak with the swiftcurrent leaders,she began, her tone thoughtful,
i could arrange it. host a meeting, perhaps. it is within my duty to bridge connections, and if you are sincere, i see no harm in it.
a small, contemplative smile touched her lips as she considered his ambitions. his vision of lands claimed for the seasons intrigued her, a poetic ideal she couldn’t help but admire.
your idea is... unique,she said, her voice soft but curious.
tell me, what drew you to connect the lands to the seasons? do you believe they hold different meanings or strengths with their passing?
RE: so stay with me because, - Wake - December 03, 2024
I am quite sincere, my lady,Wake assured her solemnly, his tail wagging slow with gratitude as he strode a few paces nearer, his muzzle upturned to the incline of her knoll perch.
And I am grateful for your offer. Though, unless you will be offended, I must decline. I prefer to make my own introductions where possible.If she insisted, however, she would find him amenable.
Even so, your presence would be a great boon to me if you come when I call for them.
From this angle, the winterwolf could see her expressions more clearly; the elegant lines of her face, the reserved temper behind her cool stare. A quiet fire burned behind those eyes, and he wondered what fed the flames.
Eden’s serpent smiled — though not too big! He had the presence of mind to appear somewhat bashful at her interest, even though he would never pass on a chance to extol his beliefs.
It is the Rhythm,he answered proudly.
I come from wolves who have spent countless generations in celebration of the seasons. But most Rhythm folk are not so sentimental as myself. Moving lands as the season turns is purely a personal preference.
RE: so stay with me because, - Morwenna - December 03, 2024
morwenna’s pale eyes flicked to the stag-like wolf as he approached, his words measured and sincere. her expression softened, but her thoughts remained distant, tugged by the currents of her mind.
i have not yet decided to linger,she admitted, her voice quiet but steady, as if speaking her indecision aloud would somehow anchor it.
these woodlands are beautiful, but the saatsine call to me.she hesitated, the faintest flicker of emotion crossing her features. sun eater...
her gaze returned to him, sharp and thoughtful, catching the pride in his explanation. the rhythm. she turned the word over in her mind, intrigued by its weight.
the rhythm,she repeated, as if tasting the concept for the first time.
it sounds... grounding. to move with the seasons, to follow their turn. your wolves sound wise.she tilted her head slightly, studying him further.
is it something you’ve always believed, or did you find it for yourself?
RE: so stay with me because, - Wake - December 03, 2024
Ah, so her heart fluttered for the deerstalkers. (If her proudly wearing their gift was not clue enough.)
Wake’s smile was one of understanding and acceptance.
If your spirit feels pulled in one direction, it is imperative you walk that path, see if it is for you.This was a guiding tenet of the Rhythm. This was the reason he stood here and not with his family at the Four Points.
I was born into it. I am called Winter’s Wake, a season and name given to me by my mother,he answered openly.
But it must always be a choice to follow the Rhythm, regardless of how our names are earned.He had not come upon his religion in some happenstance, and he had not yet abandoned it for his own perversion of the truth, though this was always a decision allowed to every individual.
The Sibling Fates were not jealous gods. They simply were.
Did you always have your name, or did you choose it?
RE: so stay with me because, - Morwenna - December 03, 2024
morwenna watched him as he spoke, her pale eyes unwavering, her thoughts quietly threading together with his words. his understanding and validation stirred something deep within her—a sense of being seen, of being understood in a way she hadn't expected. her decision, unspoken but solidified, felt a little lighter with his affirmation.
i've always had my name,she said softly, her voice carrying a note of contemplation.
by the time i was a moon old, i already had titles. things others gave me, things i didn't choose.
a pause, her gaze shifting briefly to the horizon before returning to him.
now, though... i want to choose for myself. to walk a path because it feels right, not because it was given to me.her tone was steady, but there was a quiet intensity beneath it, a hint of the weight she carried from her past.
morwenna,she clarified her name.
her gaze lingered on the caribou pelt along her shoulders breadth, a symbol of the saatsine. her path was no longer unclear.
your rhythm... it sounds like it gives freedom, even in its structure,she murmured, appreciating the sentiment but knowing her heart had already decided.
her lips curled into the faintest smile, rare but genuine.
the saatsine... they call to me. i think my spirit has already chosen. thank you, winter's wake.
RE: so stay with me because, - Wake - December 03, 2024
Wake nodded as she explained, knowing better than most that this was the unavoidable way of things. To be born, to be bestowed, to be placed. None had chosen to come to life. It was merely their fate to be so.
This is the Rhythm!The winterwolf laughed, gleeful that she had discovered it all her own.
You do until your heart tells you to do something else. It is time when it is time, and not a moment before or after.
Morwenna. To-be of the Saatsine.
Some things are immutable. Some things are within our power to change. Sometimes it is our duty to change them. These are the greater tenets. This is the way I live.
She thanked him then, to which he shook his head with a chuckle.
Do not thank me. This is Ananke’s work. She fills our hearts with needs, even the ones yet to be discovered.His tail wagged, and he made a motion to depart.
I must continue my path. The hunt ever awaits. I ask that you greet Sun Eater for me. I hope to soon enjoy a hunt with you both.
RE: so stay with me because, - Morwenna - December 03, 2024
morwenna dipped her head, her expression softened with gratitude.
thank you, winter’s wake,she murmured, her voice low, carrying the weight of her sincerity.
for your words, and for... understanding.
her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, taking in his steady form and the ease with which he carried himself. there was something grounding about him, something she hadn’t realized she needed until now. she offered a small, fleeting smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes but carried warmth nonetheless.
i hope our paths cross again,she said softly, her tone wistful yet certain.
until then, i’ll carry your words with me.
with that, she stepped back, her movements deliberate as she turned to leave. the forest seemed quieter now, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air. she moved with purpose, her mind turning to the saatsine, to sun eater, and to the choices that lay ahead.
morwenna didn’t look back as she disappeared into the trees, but her thoughts remained with the winterwolf, his laughter and wisdom echoing in her mind. perhaps they would meet again. perhaps this was only the beginning.
thanks for the thread!